Human Rights Watch: No Progress on Rights in Laos

In a report submitted to United Nations activists denounce systemic human rights problems. The forced disappearance of civil society leader Sombath Somphone is particularly worrisome. Lao authorities are defying international concerns. People fear their government because they know officials act with near total impunity.

Vientiane (AsiaNews) - The government of Laos has failed to address the country's systemic human rights problems, Human Rights Watch (Hrw) said today in a critique of Lao's human rights record submitted to the United Nations. Hrw highlighted several human rights issues that deserve international attention, including severe restrictions on fundamental liberties, absence of labor rights, and detention of suspected drug users without charge in abusive drug centers.

Laos will appear for the country's second Universal Periodic Review in October 2014 at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Of particular concern is the forced disappearance of civil society leader Sombath Somphone (pictured), in Vientiane in December 2012 after he was stopped by the police. "The Lao authorities are defying international concerns - said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director Hrw - by ignoring calls to respond to the activist enforced disappearance."

The Lao government has not made tangible changes toward meeting commitments made during its first UPR session in 2010. Laos should ratify core international human rights conventions; end restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, and the media; and bring its labor laws and regulations into line with core labor standards of the International Labor Organization. People involved with unauthorized public protests have been sentenced to long prison terms. "Lao people fear their government because they know officials can act with near total impunity" Robertson said.

However, persecution and human rights violations also occur because of faith, especially against Christians. Three Laotian students, aged between 14 and 15 years, were unable to take their final exams at the end of the school year because of their Christian faith. The incident occurred in Savannakhet province, in central Laos, scene of previous incidents of abuse and marginalisation against the Christian religious minority.

When the Communists took over in 1975, they expelled foreign missionaries and placed the country's Christian minority under strict controls. Religious practice has been restricted ever since. Most Laotians (67 per cent) are Buddhist out of six million people. Christians make up about 2 per cent - of these Catholics are 0.7 per cent. Protestants are especially targeted for religious persecution. AsiaNews has covered similar cases in the past, including farmers deprived of foodfor the faith as well as clergymen arrested for their activities. Since April 2011, things got progressively worse after protests by Hmong groups were violently suppressed.

e-mail this to a friend :

Human Rights Watch: No Progress on Rights in Laos South East Asia Laos In a report submitted to United Nations activists denounce systemic human rights problems. The forced disappearance of civil society leader Sombath Somphone is particularly worrisome. Lao authorities are defying international concerns. People fear their government because they know officials act with near total impunity.

22/12/2011 LAOSEight Lao Christians in prison for ChristmasThe authorities have not yet charged them. They were detained for “organising” a celebration with 200 Church members. Police and local village officials meet to decide their fate as religious freedom continues to be denied in the Communist nation.

25/02/2011 LAOSFood denied to 65 Laotian farmers to force them to renounce ChristianityGovernment officials seized the homes and land of 18 families, herded into a temporary camp without food. Neighbours are prevented from giving them food. For the Communist regime, they must abjure their faith in Christ. Pro-human rights activist calls on the government to uphold the constitution.

Mgr Giacinto-Boulos Marcuzzo stressed the importance of education to ensure the future of new generations. The Church is a sign of "unity" in a context "marked by divisions" and a bridge in interfaith dialogue. The situation has gone from euphoria for peace to resignation over permanent conflict. He appeals to Western Christians to come as pilgrims to the Holy Land.

The 15-day event is the most important religious celebration in Nepal. Animal rights activists have gone to Hindu temples to raise awareness among believers. The stench of rotting dead animals fills the areas near the places of worship. Police have been deployed to prevent confrontation.